Research has indicated repeatedly that the study and daily practice of music has a dramatic impact on many areas of learning and growth, not to mention the intrinsic joy that it brings to one’s life. I only accept students who are committed, who come prepared for lessons, and who are cooperative about scheduling. Agreeing to be a student means agreeing to the terms of these guidelines as well.
Private Lessons: 30-minute, 45-minute or 1-hour lessons are scheduled once a week. Additional lessons can be scheduled (as time permits) to help prepare for an important audition or show. Lessons are taught during the school year and during the summer excluding specific holidays and any planned vacations. As much notice is given as possible for any schedule changes.
* Street parking is available for students taking lessons in the home studio.
Preparedness: Students are expected to prepare their lesson material or assignments to the best of their ability. This is your homework!
Practice Time: Expect to practice a minimum of 20 minutes each day; at least 5 days a week for 30- minute lesson students. Expect to practice a minimum of 30-45 minutes each day; at least 5 days a week for 45- and 60-minute lesson students. Make sure you include warm-ups at the beginning of your practice time. Don’t dive right into the material first. Make sure your voice is warmed up & ready to go. Remember, daily practice will yield the best results. This is the only way you will improve!
Quality Practice: Sometimes students should be singing through a piece from beginning to end, but more often students need to isolate problem spots within a piece and work on those, always remembering to “put the music back together” in the end. Practice time should be interruption-free (i.e.: no phone calls, no TV, no computer, etc.). Ideally, practice time should be at a consistent time each day.
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit”. Aristotle
Attendance: Expected! Students are also expected to arrive at their lesson on time and warmed-up/ prepared if possible. Your lesson/study session time will not be extended because you are late.
If you know you have a conflict with a specific lesson date coming up, let your teacher know as soon as possible. The amount of notice given and the reason for missing the lesson will play a role in whether you are charged or not for that lesson. If your lesson starts late due to the teacher running behind with students, your full lesson time will be given to you either that week or the next.